Munich’s English Garden is a vast public park stretching from the city centre towards the northeast. Follow shaded paths beside streams, pause on open lawns or watch surfers ride the standing wave at the Eisbach. Landmarks include the Monopteros, a Greek-style pavilion with views towards the city, and the Chinese Tower, beside a beer garden. Further north, Kleinhesseloher See has a lakeside beer garden and boats for hire. Come for a short break or spend several hours walking, cycling and exploring different parts of the park.
A public park with room to roam
The English Garden was commissioned in 1789 as a public park for Munich. Its informal, English-style layout gives the grounds a natural feel, with lawns, streams, wooded paths and ponds. The park extends from the city centre towards Munich’s northeastern edge, so a visit can be as brief as a stroll or as long as a walk between its southern and northern sections.
You can walk, jog or cycle along paths through the grounds, or stop on a meadow for a picnic or a rest. The park also has playgrounds and areas for recreational sports. Summer brings more opportunities to spend time outdoors, though the garden is worth a walk in other seasons too.
The Eisbach, Monopteros and Chinese Tower
At the Eisbach, a man-made river wave draws surfers throughout the year. Watch from the bridge beside the water, keeping to the viewing area rather than stepping into the river. This is one of the livelier parts of the park, especially when people gather to watch the surfing.
The Monopteros is a Greek-style pavilion set on a hill, with a view over the city centre. The Chinese Tower is another prominent landmark. Its beer garden is a place to pause for Bavarian food and a drink. A Japanese tea house is also in the park; ceremonies are sometimes held there, and visitors can watch or take part when they are available.
The quieter northern section
The northern part has broad meadows and longer walking routes, with a calmer feel than the southern grounds around the Eisbach. From the Münchner Freiheit underground stop, Feilitzschstrasse leads towards this section and on to Kleinhesseloher See.
At the lake, you can walk along the shore, rent a rowing boat or pedal boat, and stop at the Seehaus beer garden. The park’s size makes it useful to choose a few landmarks before setting out, especially if you want to cover both the southern and northern sections in one visit. In warm weather, allow extra time for a break by the water or on the lawns.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is the English Garden free to visit?
Admission to the park is free.
How long should you spend in the English Garden?
Allow at least a couple of hours to walk and visit a few of its landmarks.
Where can you watch surfers in the English Garden?
Surfers ride the standing wave on the Eisbach in the southern part of the park. You can watch from the nearby bridge.
Can you rent a boat in the English Garden?
Rowing boats and pedal boats are available to rent at Kleinhesseloher See.
